Aston Villa have been very busy in the transfer market this summer, signing Emiliano Buendia from Norwich City, Ashley Young from Inter Milan, Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen and Danny Ings from Southampton, but the Midlands outfit are after a central midfielder too.
Villa have been linked with Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse, Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Winks and Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe among others, but Marc Mechenoua of Goal France says the Midlands outfit are battling Atalanta for Cheick Doucouré.
Supporters are excited on social media as the 21-year-old is highly rated in France. Doucoure joined RC Lens from AS Real Bamako in 2018 and has gone on to make 95 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals with three assists.
The Malian international has been a regular at the Estadio Bollaert-Delelis, but his future looks away from Ligue 1. Villa are believed to have held talks with Lens over a deal, but it remains to be seen where he’ll end up.
Doucoure averaged a tackle (87) or interception (52) every 19 minutes, created 26 chances and had 38/47 successful dribbles, so he’s all-rounder in midfield. It’s easy to see why fans are keen, but Atalanta’s interest may prove a stumbling block. Time will tell.
In other news, Frederic Guilbert enjoys family time by swimming pool
